Get Your Child on the List!
We currently accept children as young as birth for our wait list. We maintain lists by age and contact parents a few times a year by email to confirm they are still interested. In February, our current families re-enroll, and then we call families from the commitment forms in the order of their submissions.
Application Process
Registration Policies
- First priority given to current students, siblings and staff
- Alumni are given next priority.
- Families must complete a tour and pay Commitment Fee to be contacted.
- Alumni must complete a Commitment Form to be added to the Wait list. Fee is waived for alumni families
- Families of Hixson United Methodist Church also have fee waived.
- This does not guarantee enrollment at HPUMP. You will be notified in the order applications are received for Fall enrollment.
- Mid-Year enrollment is changing. Beginning in 2023, we will put all class eligible children in a "pool" and we will email all families. The first family to accept and pay gets the spot. This is so that we do not waste weeks going through the waitlist one by one.
- You are required to attend a formal tour prior to adding your child to the waitlist. Please RSVP for an upcoming tour.
- It is your responsibility to contact HPUMP if your email or any contact information changes.
- Immunization forms are REQUIRED with only exception allowed for medical reasons.
Policies and procedures
SCHOOL HOURS
Doors open at 9:05
The Twinklers, Starshine Friends, Moonbeams,
and Sunbeams 9:15 - 12:15
Rainbow Kids 9:15 - 12:30
ARRIVAL PROCEDURES
Please walk your child to the gate closest to your their classroom and sign your child into class. Temperatures will be taken with touchless thermometers and parents will be asked several questions. Hands will be sprayed with sanitizer at the gate. Parents will not be allowed past the gates.
We make these requests when arriving
- Parents are asked to social distance.
- Do not leave younger siblings in the car unattended.
- Please give a quick, cheerful good-bye. We have lots of experience handling separation tears.
- Never leave your valuables in the car unlocked
DEPARTURE PROCEDURES
- Please go to the gate closest to your child's class to pick up your child and sign them out of class.
- Any person picking up, other than a parent or guardian must be documented prior to pick up in your child's record in the office. People other than parent must show a drivers license the first time or until we recognize them.
- Always hold your child's hand walking through the parking lots and across Highland Way, as cars can come around the corner quickly.
CAR SEAT
Forward facing car seat- Children age one through three, and weighing more than twenty pounds, must be secured in a child safety seat in a forward facing position in the rear seat area.
BOOSTER SEAT
Children age four through eight, and measuring less than four feet nine inches (4.9") in height, must be secured in a belt-positioning booster seat system in the rear area.
CLOTHING, PERSONAL BELONGINGS
Please mark all clothing and belongings with your child's name. Dress your child comfortably for school in play clothes. We use messy art materials everyday and we are outside everyday.
- Sturdy, closed toe shoes are best
- No necklaces without break away chains are permitted
- Outerwear is kept on hook outside the classroom
- Please pack an extra outfit including shoes daily
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
- Children will not be permitted to attend if they have a cough, sneezing, fever (over 100.4), or have vomited or had diarrhea within 24 hours.
- If a child becomes sick during school they will be isolated in the Director’s office, parent notified and they must be picked up within 30 minutes.
- Please notify us if your child has any medical conditions such as allergies or any medication taken regularly
- We require up to date State of Tennessee immunization records signed by your health care provider. No exemptions except medical are permitted. Medical exemptions must be verified in writing by a medical doctor.
- Communicable illness- please notify us if your child has a communicable illness such as chicken pox, mumps, strep, etc.. so we may in turn notify other parents.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
- We no longer follow HCDE in two hour delays or closing for bad weather.
- Please check your text and email messages for closures.
DISCIPLINE
Physical punishment is not used at school! If there is a problem, we use it as an opportunity to reinforce relationship skills, verbal skills, problem solving skills, and compassion for one's neighbor. If there is a persistent problem, we will work with you on further courses of action to help your child regain control of his/her behavior. Our focus is on positive behavior and strengths, praise and encouragement of appropriate behavior, and redirecting the child's attention to alternative activities.
CONFLICT RESOLUTION CODE
- What is the problem?
- What are the possible solutions? (accept all answers)
- Are they good or bad choices?
- What is the best one to try?
- Let's do it!
GOOD FAITH STATEMENT
Highland Plaza United Methodist Preschool is committed to providing quality care to every enrolled child and will continue to do so as long as the child's and other children's needs can be met. Modifications in teaching strategies and learning environment will attempted, and we will consult with the family and seek recommendations from appropriate specialists to maximize the potential of the child to benefit from the program. If, after implementing these strategies, the child's current needs cannot be met, or the child is seriously jeopardizing the ability of the other children to benefit from the program, the preschool staff will attempt to identify a more appropriate setting and services, and assist the family in placing their child